To win the German Lotto jackpot, matching all six main numbers is not enough. You also need the correct Superzahl.
That small extra digit can be the difference between winning the LOTTO 6aus49 jackpot and dropping into the second prize division.
German Lotto — officially known as LOTTO 6aus49 — requires six main numbers from 1 to 49, while the Superzahl is a separate digit from 0 to 9.
But the Superzahl is not simply another bonus ball.
It works differently from the additional numbers used in many other international lotteries and affects several German Lotto prize divisions.
So what exactly is the Superzahl, how does it affect your winnings, and why does it make the German Lotto jackpot odds approximately 1 in 140 million?
Here is the simple explanation.
How Does German Lotto 6aus49 Work?
The main German Lotto game is called LOTTO 6aus49.
The name describes the core game:
6 aus 49 = 6 out of 49.
A standard entry uses six main numbers selected from:
1 to 49
Six main winning numbers are then drawn.
There is also a separate Superzahl from 0 to 9.
To win the jackpot — officially Prize Division 1 — an entry must match:
6 main numbers + the correct Superzahl.
MagicLotto customers can enter available draws through the German Lotto 6aus49 entry page .
What Is the German Lotto Superzahl?
The Superzahl is a single digit between:
0 and 9
There are therefore 10 possible Superzahl digits.
In the official German lottery system, the Superzahl is derived from the final digit of the ticket's unique number rather than being one of the six main numbers selected from the 1–49 pool.
During each LOTTO 6aus49 draw, six main winning numbers and a separate winning Superzahl are determined.
The Superzahl is then used alongside the number of main matches to determine which prize division a winning entry reaches.
Is the Superzahl a Bonus Ball?
No.
This is one of the most common misunderstandings about German Lotto.
A traditional Bonus Ball is usually an additional number drawn from the same number pool as the main numbers and used for certain secondary prizes.
The German Superzahl works differently.
It comes from a separate 0–9 digit system.
The main LOTTO 6aus49 numbers, meanwhile, come from 1–49.
So if the six main winning numbers were:
4, 11, 19, 27, 38, 46
the Superzahl might separately be:
7
A jackpot-winning entry would need all six main numbers plus that Superzahl.
Can You Win the German Lotto Jackpot Without the Superzahl?
No.
If you match all six main numbers but your Superzahl does not match, you do not win Prize Division 1.
Instead, six correct main numbers without the Superzahl qualify for Prize Division 2.
That can still produce a very substantial prize, but it is not the jackpot.
This is why checking only your six main numbers is not enough when reviewing German Lotto results.
What Are the German Lotto Prize Divisions?
LOTTO 6aus49 currently has nine prize divisions.
| Prize Division | Match Required | Official Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 + Superzahl | 1 in 139,838,160 |
| 2 | 6 | 1 in 15,537,573 |
| 3 | 5 + Superzahl | 1 in 542,008 |
| 4 | 5 | 1 in 60,223 |
| 5 | 4 + Superzahl | 1 in 10,324 |
| 6 | 4 | 1 in 1,147 |
| 7 | 3 + Superzahl | 1 in 567 |
| 8 | 3 | 1 in 63 |
| 9 | 2 + Superzahl | 1 in 76 |
The table makes the importance of the Superzahl easy to see.
It can move an entry from six matches to the jackpot, from five matches into a higher prize division, from four matches into a higher division, and from three matches into a higher division.
It also creates the lowest prize category when combined with two matching main numbers.
Why Are the German Lotto Jackpot Odds 1 in 139,838,160?
The mathematics comes from combining the six main-number possibilities with the Superzahl.
There are:
13,983,816
different ways to select six numbers from 49.
But there are also 10 possible Superzahl digits.
Therefore:
13,983,816 × 10 = 139,838,160
That gives one individual jackpot combination official odds of:
1 in 139,838,160
If you enjoy exploring lottery probabilities, you can also use the MagicLotto Lottery Calculator .
Why Are Six Correct Numbers Without the Superzahl More Likely?
This is an interesting piece of German Lotto mathematics.
If you match all six main numbers, there are 10 possible Superzahl outcomes.
Only one produces the jackpot.
The other nine Superzahl possibilities mean you have six correct main numbers but the wrong Superzahl.
That is why the official probability for Prize Division 2 is approximately:
1 in 15,537,573
compared with:
1 in 139,838,160
for six correct numbers plus the Superzahl.
Can the Superzahl Win a Prize on Its Own?
No.
The Superzahl alone does not create a winning LOTTO 6aus49 entry.
The lowest main-game prize division requires:
2 correct main numbers + the Superzahl.
Under the current official German prize structure, Prize Division 9 pays a fixed €6 for that result.
Other prize divisions generally depend on the number of winners and the prize pool allocated to that division.
How Much Is the German Lotto Jackpot?
German Lotto uses a rolling jackpot.
The official LOTTO 6aus49 jackpot starts at a minimum of €1 million and can build across consecutive draws when nobody matches all six numbers plus the Superzahl.
Under the current rules, the jackpot can reach a maximum of €50 million.
Because jackpot values change from draw to draw, customers should always check the current amount on the MagicLotto German Lotto page rather than relying on an older article or screenshot.
What Happens When German Lotto Reaches €50 Million?
LOTTO 6aus49 does not allow the jackpot to grow indefinitely.
The current official jackpot range is from a minimum of €1 million to a maximum of €50 million.
The German lottery rules contain special distribution provisions once the jackpot ceiling is reached.
This makes German Lotto different from lotteries that allow jackpots to roll without a comparable fixed maximum.
It also means older online articles referring to a €45 million maximum are outdated.
When Are German Lotto Draws?
LOTTO 6aus49 is drawn twice each week:
- Wednesday at 18:25 German local time
- Saturday at 19:25 German local time
MagicLotto customers should use the countdown and closing time displayed on the German Lotto entry page because entries need to be processed before the relevant official cut-off.
Why Are German Lotto Prize Payouts Sometimes Published Later?
The winning numbers can be known before the final prize amounts for each division are available.
This can surprise players who are accustomed to lotteries where prize information appears almost immediately.
Germany's lottery system operates through regional state lottery organisations, and final prize information needs to be consolidated before the official payouts are confirmed.
MagicLotto has a separate guide explaining why German Lotto payout figures can be delayed .
A delay in the final prize breakdown does not mean the draw result itself is missing or that a winning entry has been overlooked.
How Do I Check German Lotto Results?
After each Wednesday and Saturday draw, you can check the latest German Lotto results and prize breakdown on MagicLotto.
When checking your entry, compare:
- your six main numbers; and
- the Superzahl.
You can also browse the MagicLotto Lottery Results hub for South African and international lottery results.
Are German Lotto Hot Numbers More Likely to Win?
No.
Historical draw data will always contain numbers that have appeared more frequently over a selected period and numbers that have appeared less frequently.
These are commonly described as hot numbers and cold numbers.
But historical frequency does not alter the probability of a number appearing in the next independent draw.
A number that has not appeared recently is not mathematically "due".
Likewise, a number that appeared last Saturday is not prevented from appearing again on Wednesday.
If you enjoy studying previous results, explore MagicLotto Hot & Cold Numbers , but treat the information as historical statistics rather than a prediction system.
Is Quick Pick Better Than Choosing German Lotto Numbers Yourself?
Neither method has a mathematical advantage.
A randomly generated six-number combination has exactly the same probability as a valid combination selected manually.
The lottery draw does not know whether you selected numbers because they are birthdays, favourites, historically hot numbers or randomly generated.
Every valid six-number combination faces the same underlying main-number probability.
Does a Bigger German Lotto Jackpot Improve Your Odds?
No.
The jackpot amount has no effect on which numbers are drawn.
Whether the jackpot is €1 million or has climbed to its maximum level, the game still uses:
6 numbers from 1–49 plus the Superzahl.
The jackpot odds for an individual valid combination therefore remain:
1 in 139,838,160.
A larger jackpot changes the potential reward, not the probability of a particular combination winning.
German Lotto vs EuroJackpot: Are the Odds the Same?
Interestingly, their headline jackpot odds are very similar.
Official German lottery information rounds both LOTTO 6aus49 and EuroJackpot jackpot odds to approximately:
1 in 140 million.
But the games use completely different number structures.
German Lotto uses six numbers from 1–49 plus a Superzahl, while EuroJackpot uses its own main-number and Euro-number pools.
The jackpots also behave differently: German Lotto currently has a maximum jackpot of €50 million, while EuroJackpot has a substantially higher maximum.
So similar headline jackpot odds do not mean the two games work in the same way.
Can South Africans Play German Lotto Through MagicLotto?
Yes.
MagicLotto provides access to supported international lotteries through its independent ticket-messenger service.
Customers can submit an available entry through the MagicLotto German Lotto page .
If you are new to the service, the MagicLotto How to Play Lotto Online guide explains how entries, results and winnings work.
Can I Play a Mini German Lotto Ticket?
Yes. MagicLotto also offers German Lotto Mini Tickets .
A Mini Ticket gives the customer a fractional share in an official ticket rather than ownership of the entire ticket.
Any winnings attached to that ticket are therefore credited according to the share held.
This provides another participation option for customers who prefer a smaller entry amount.
Are German Lotto Winnings Taxed?
German lottery prizes are generally paid without German lottery tax being deducted from the prize itself.
That does not necessarily mean every financial consequence after receiving a major prize is tax-free forever.
For example, income subsequently earned by investing winnings can have its own tax treatment, and an international winner's personal circumstances may also matter.
South African customers can read the MagicLotto Lottery Tax Guide for general information.
Anyone fortunate enough to win a substantial international prize should obtain professional tax and legal advice appropriate to their circumstances.
German Lotto Superzahl Frequently Asked Questions
What is the German Lotto Superzahl?
The Superzahl is a separate digit from 0 to 9 used alongside the six main LOTTO 6aus49 numbers to determine several prize divisions.
How many main numbers do I need for German Lotto?
The main game uses six numbers from 1 to 49.
Do I need the Superzahl to win the jackpot?
Yes. Prize Division 1 requires all six main winning numbers plus the correct Superzahl.
What happens if I match all six numbers but not the Superzahl?
You qualify for Prize Division 2 rather than the jackpot division.
Is the Superzahl a Bonus Ball?
No. It is a separate digit from 0–9 rather than another number drawn from the 1–49 main-number pool.
Can the Superzahl win a prize by itself?
No. The lowest main-game winning combination is two correct main numbers plus the Superzahl.
What are the German Lotto jackpot odds?
The official odds of matching six main numbers plus the Superzahl are 1 in 139,838,160.
What is the maximum German Lotto jackpot?
The current official LOTTO 6aus49 jackpot can reach a maximum of €50 million.
When is German Lotto drawn?
Draws take place every Wednesday at 18:25 and Saturday at 19:25 German local time.
Why don't German Lotto prize payouts always appear immediately?
The winning numbers are available after the draw, but final prize amounts need to be confirmed across Germany's lottery system before the official payout breakdown is published.
Can South Africans play German Lotto through MagicLotto?
Yes. German Lotto is one of the international lottery games supported through MagicLotto's independent ticket-messenger service.
The Bottom Line
The German Lotto Superzahl may be only one digit, but it plays an important role in LOTTO 6aus49.
The main game uses six numbers from 1 to 49, while the separate Superzahl comes from 0 to 9.
Matching all six main numbers without the Superzahl reaches Prize Division 2.
Matching all six plus the Superzahl is what unlocks the jackpot.
Combining 13,983,816 possible six-number selections with 10 possible Superzahl digits produces jackpot odds of exactly 1 in 139,838,160.
The Superzahl also affects several lower prize divisions, so it should always be checked alongside your six main numbers when reviewing a German Lotto result.
No number system, historical pattern or selection method can guarantee a winning combination. Understanding the Superzahl simply helps you understand exactly how your German Lotto entry is judged.
Ready for the Next German Lotto Draw?
Play German Lotto 6aus49 online with MagicLotto for an available Wednesday or Saturday draw.
Prefer a smaller participation option? Explore German Lotto Mini Tickets .
After the draw, check the latest German Lotto winning numbers and payouts .
MagicLotto is an independent lottery ticket-messenger service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by LOTTO.de, the Deutscher Lotto- und Totoblock or Germany's state lottery companies. Lottery games involve chance and winning is never guaranteed. 18+ only. Please play responsibly.